MEMORIAL: JULY 14
St. Kateri Tekakwitha was born into the Mohawk tribe who hated Christians in 1656. However, Jesuit missionaries continued to come and Kateri was enraptured with their teaching. At the age of 19, Kateri refused to marry (to the outrage of her tribe), instead electing to be baptized. She chose the name Kateri for St. Catherine of Siena. With the persecution of her tribe, Kateri escaped to a Christian settlement outside of Montreal where she was instructed in the faith. Kateri did much fasting and penance for her native people. At the age of 24, Kateri passed away due to sickness.
In 2012, St. Kateri was canonized by Pope Benedict XVI and became the first Native American saint. Since then, there has been a popular devotion to her in the United States. She is the patron saint of the environment.
